Tea is like life line for many people as it offers a thrilling and luxurious journey of self-discovery during mornings and evenings. The Darjeeling tea has some magic which just send some nice positive signals to the mind. It is no longer just a brew. It is not just the tea but the place too which is at the lower Himalayan range. It is the latest hotspot for those who value solitude and comfort. Nothing, indeed, could be a better view than a stay in one of those British-built bungalows set amidst acres of green tea estates, with spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga range.
Today, tea companies offer the same exceptional lifestyle for guests, to make their stay at a tea bungalow an unforgettable experience.
ChamongTee Exports of Assam is a new entrant in tea tourism, but has perhaps, the best to offer. The two-storied manager’s bungalow at Tumsong, one of the group’s 13 estates in Darjeeling, has been converted into a boutique hotel with four super-luxurious suites, a couple of living rooms, a large dining hall and an expansive verandah that is perfect for lounging. At 150 € a night (about Rs 9,300), tariff includes all meals, transport to and from Bagdogra airport or New Jalpaiguri railway station, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, laundry, day trips to nearby Darjeeling town, a tour of the tea estate and the factory. Guests are encouraged to plant a tea sapling and the first produce is shipped to them as well. The bungalow’s staff has been trained to serve by seniors who served British masters; the reason why the service here rivals that at any five-star hotel.
The 148-year-old Glenburn estate is another premier destination. It offers four luxurious suites. In fact, it is the Kanchenjunga suite that offers the best view, and the cool blue and white furnishings in the suite set a right mood to take in the fresh, cool mountain air. The tariff is $US400 for a couple, $US 265 for single occupancy and $US 70for an extra person which includes all meals, pickup from Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri, laundry, non-alcoholic beverages, drives through the estate and day trips to Darjeeling.
For those wanting to get up close and personal with the local culture, the best bet is MakaibariTea Estate near Kurseong, an hour and a half journey from Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri. This estate holds the world record for the costliest tea ever sold through an auction (Rs 18,000 a kilogram) and is run by the Banerjee family who has been the owners since 1859. The 15 cottages are available at a bargain of Rs 1,000 a couple per night (meals included), but those seeking better quarters can stay at the Cochrane House, the manager’s bungalow for Rs 2,000 per couple without meals. A super-luxurious boutique hotel is also coming up at the garden which is totally organic and is run by the legendary Rajah Banerjee.
Tata Tea's Damdim Estate, 45 kilometres from Bagdogra, has a cream-and-white, colonial-style bungalow lovingly restored for tourists in the heart of its 1400-hectare plantation. With three suites at Rs 5,000 per couple per night, including meals, this is also a very good bet for those seeking a feel of the life of British planters.